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This is version 3.0 of AlfaCoshka: an enterprise transcoding proxy server and network services platform written in Java. It is compatible with SMicro Inc's. 1.3 Standard Edition and can be used on any platform for which JDK 1.3 or higher is available.

AlfaCoshka supports the following Internet protocols and features:

An additional feature, Mapped Link, allows AlfaCoshka to work with many other protocols, which are not directly supported. Among AlfaCoshka's features are a high-performance HTTP cache, HTTP accelerator, built-in firewall security, a remote monitor, and other advanced functionality. These features make AlfaCoshka especially suitable for  mobile network access and pervasive computing applications.

AlfaCoshka Enterprise Edition has an open API and built-in system for the development and deployment of   custom plug-ins. AlfaCoshka plug-ins can act as custom proxy or other servers or process and transcode the content passing through AlfaCoshka's core proxies.  As a result, AlfaCoshka can be used as a flexible and extensible plarform for deploying large scale e-commerce and content-oriented network services. Sample applications include the deployment of custom caching and content distribution systems and protocols, mobile data services for Palm Pilot or other PDAs, personalization services, etc. AlfaCoshka plug-ins can be managed through the web administration interfaces of the proxies and systems to which they have been attached.

AlfaCoshka is a convenient, turn-key enterprise solution for providing content caching and transcoding services to large numbers of PCs and devices. If you want to connect and provide caching and custom e-commerce and content services to your enterprise network PCs, mobile clients and other devices then AlfaCoshka is the software you need. AlfaCoshka is an enabling solution for content service providers and can be easily deployed both on enterprise networks and on clusters at colocation/data centers.

AlfaCoshka is also a flexible and powerful solution for embedded applications. For example, a designer of  a network of smart devices in an automobile might choose AlfaCoshka over a hardware proxy solution. AlfaCoshka caches Internet content and thus speeds up content access over slower wireless links. AlfaCoshka's platform independence and open API enable it to support a much wider and interesting range of applications than platform-dependent proxy servers permit. AlfaCoshka's design and evolution path position it as a powerful Internet services platform and gateway. AlfaCoshka is an essential element in many networked systems of the future.

A case study: building intelligent e-commerce gateways via content-aware networking

Traditional computer systems design dictates that service functionality should be placed at the service endpoints. However, the proliferation of very large numbers of devices, services and service providers has resulted in very large numbers of service endpoints with largely varying computational resources and access restrictions. This has slowed down the deployment of new, interoperable services, devices and revenue streams and lead to rethinking of the traditional "end-to-end argument in system design". A wide class of compelling e-commerce services is best suited for implementation and deployment by positioning them between the endpoints of other services. The services in the middle of the content path intercept, parse and act upon the content streams of other services. These content-aware content path services are usually placed at the edges of enterprise or service provider networks and have as their input and output content streams from and to other service endpoints.

AlfaCoshka Enterprise Edition is the first and only cross-platform scalable transcoding proxy server and network services platform for enabling intelligent e-commerce gateways via content-aware networking. AlfaCoshka Enterprise Edition's integrated proxy, reverse proxy and plug-in system is ideal for implementing both explicit and transparent service intermediaries and information brokers. AlfaCoshka is implemented in pure Java and can be integrated very easily and efficiently with other Java systems and APIs, which can share the AlfaCoshka machine or cluster. Enterprise systems are often composed as systems-of-systems and direct and efficient coupling of systems through platform-independent classes is often helpful and necessary in enterprise environments where Java is the dominant platform. AlfaCoshka is available for immediate purchase and download from our Digital River web store.